Myths about Dog Collars

Feb 9, 2017

A dog collar is one of the most basic necessities a dog needs, yet many owners avoid buying one for their pet, citing a number of myths about their use. These common myths about dog collars – and their corresponding facts – are discussed.

Myth: My dog does not need a collar
Fact: In nearly every area in the United States it is a requirement that dogs wear a collar as well as a form of identification. In addition, your dog should always have an up to date rabies tag on its collar to avoid the possibility of your pet being quarantined or even euthanized should a dog bite occur.

Myth: A microchip is sufficient identification
Fact: If your dog were ever to escape your yard or become lost in the field there is no guarantee that the person who finds your dog would have it scanned for a microchip. Often, dogs that are found without collars are assumed to be stray or abandoned pets which leave them at risk for never being returned.

Myth: Dog collars can be dangerous
Fact: Some pet owners prefer not to place a collar on their dog because of the fear that the collar may become stuck on an object or that another animal in the house may bite at the collar and cause a dangerous situation. Incidents like these are rare, especially when the collar is properly fit to the dog. To find the proper fit, ensure that you can place two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck, but no more. In addition, a dog should never wear a training collar, such as a choke chain or a prong collar, unsupervised.

Myth: My dog can slip out of any collar
Fact: Unless your dog is a breed where its neck is naturally wider than its head (like a greyhound), it is likely that the collar is simply not properly fit to your dog’s neck. However, one solution for dogs that have escape-artists tendencies is to use a British-style slip collar, which ensures that no dog, no matter how intelligent, can escape.

Myth: If I use a training collar, my dog will become “collar wise”
Fact: When deciding whether to use a choke collar, prong collar, or electronic dog collar, some owners are concerned that their pets will become “collar wise” and only behave when the specific collar is worn. If the dog is trained properly and the collar is not used with excessive force, your dog will learn to listen to you and not the collar. In reality, these tools are simple training aids and not intended to be the deciding factor in whether your pet is or is not obedient.

Myth: Training dog collars are cruel
Fact: There are a number of dog owners that believe training collars are cruel because they are primarily used as a “negative” method, meaning the dog receives a negative stimulus (i.e. discomfort) as part of conditioning for the proper behavior. When used properly, however, training dog collars are an efficient tool that helps even the worst behaved dogs learn good manners. A dog flea collar can also be used to deter fleas.